Stuart Pearce does not anticipate any problems between John Terry and ex-Saint Wayne Bridge when the pair meet up for England duty next week.

Both men are expected to be in the squad Fabio Capello names on Saturday for England's friendly with African Nations Cup winners Egypt at Wembley on March 3.

It will be the first time the pair have shared a dressing room since the stories emerged about Terry's private life that resulted in Capello sacking him as skipper.

By a quirk of fate, Terry and Bridge are due to be on opposite sides on Saturday, when Chelsea entertain Manchester City in a Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge.

However, neither then, nor, more importantly, when Terry and Bridge are in the same England side, does Pearce expect any personal issues to get in the way of their professional duties.

"I don't see it being an issue," said Pearce, current Under-21 coach and also a valued member of Capello's backroom team, who was speaking at the launch of the Nationwide Right Hand Fan competition, on behalf of England team sponsors Nationwide.

"We had a situation that I didn't feel warranted a week's worth of front-page news.

"Most people have backed the way that Fabio has handled it and now I don't think there will be a problem at all.

"When you turn up to represent England, the only thing that is important is England winning.

"People will be professional. Forever and a day there have been individuals in dressing rooms who don't get on with each other.

"But you leave all that to one side when you turn up to represent your country. That is the only thing that matters."

Pearce is also confident Terry will not be affected by the loss of his cherished armband to central defensive partner Rio Ferdinand.

In fact, as a former skipper himself, Pearce can see a spin-off in the form of Ferdinand's performance-level being lifted as a result of his own elevation.

"You will never alter the way John Terry plays," said Pearce.

"He is a fantastic leader of men. That is why he was made captain of Chelsea and England.

"He is selfless and puts the team before himself.

"He will continue to do the same things, on the pitch and in the dressing room, as he has always done.

"What it will do is give a massive lift to Rio Ferdinand because he is now the permanent England captain until Fabio decides that is not the case.

"But there are also a few other people in the side, the likes of (Wayne) Rooney and (Frank) Lampard, who have captaincy ingredients. It is not just about the fellow who wears the armband."

The state of Terry's relationship with Bridge was thrown into even sharper focus by the broken ankle that threatens Ashley Cole's participation in South Africa this summer.

Currently also bearing the brunt of negative headlines about his personal affairs, Cole is undoubtedly one of England's world-class performers.

And, as a former left-back of some repute himself, Pearce has no hesitation delivering the ultimate accolade.

"I have never been a great lover of trawling through the media for personal stories about people. My interest is football and Ashley Cole is the best left-back that has ever represented England by a million miles," said Pearce.

"Arguably he is the best in the world at present and for us to lose him for the summer would be a big blow.

"He doesn't carry a lot of weight so we hope the injury heals early enough for him to get some form and fitness ahead of the World Cup."